Electric vehicle (EV) chargers use one of three primary connectivity methods to communicate with Hypercharge: cellular, WiFi, or ethernet. Each method has a number of specific connectivity requirements and concerns to manage to ensure an optimal experience for drivers.
Note: A small number of Hypercharge stations (including all Hypercharge Home stations) are non-networked, meaning that they do not connect to the internet. This guide does not apply to non-networked chargers. These stations should begin charging when connected to a vehicle.
Drivers also require a connection to the internet to start charging sessions in most cases. Accommodations should be made for drivers to connect via a guest WiFi network if cellular connectivity is not available for all common carriers. As a best practice, the guest network should be separated from the network the EV chargers connect to for security reasons.
If connectivity is available for EV chargers but not for drivers, drivers can obtain a Hypercharge RFID card to start sessions without a network connection. Learn more.
Basics
All networked EV chargers require a connection to the internet to perform basic functions like authenticating users, calculating and processing payments, and reporting their status.
The amount of data consumed by a charging station each month varies depending on the model. Typically, a level 2 charging station will consume up to 150 MB of data in a month, with the bulk of the data consumed during charging sessions, and minimal consumption outside of charging sessions. A level 3 charging station may consume up to 1 GB of data per month, due to the increased sophistication of the charging system.
Note that some station functions may result in significantly increased data consumption. Stations which allow management of on-screen content will consume a larger-than-usual amount of data when new content is transferred to the station for display. Distributing firmware updates to charging stations may also result in periods of increased activity on all stations. Allowances should be made in the design of the networking system to allow for these cases. Speak with your account representative or installation contact to confirm the requirements for the stations you are installing.
Cellular Connectivity for EV Chargers
Cellular-connected EV chargers rely on mobile networks for communication. Connectivity is required for user authentication and session monitoring. Here are the key requirements for cellular connectivity.
The primary concern for cellular charging stations is network coverage.
Consistent cellular network coverage is critical to the consistent operation of EV chargers.
Although stations are resilient to brief, intermittent connectivity loss and charging sessions are not interrupted by a station going offline, a connection to the internet to start a session via the Hypercharge app. If a station is consistently experiencing connection interruptions, drivers are more likely to arrive at the station when it is not connected to the internet and be unable to start a charging session, resulting in a poor experience.
Hypercharge offers SIM cards from several carriers in the event that there are significant differences in coverage quality for a site. Speak with your account representative to discuss your options.
It is important to remember that drivers also require network access, so if coverage is poor for one or more major carriers, a cellular booster or WiFi network for driver access should be considered even if the cellular connection for the charging stations is strong.
Comprehensive coverage testing should be completed at the planned site of each charging station to ensure that stations and drivers will be able to reach the network.
WiFi Connectivity for EV Chargers
WiFi-connected EV chargers use local wireless networks to connect to the internet. This method is typically preferred for sites which have established WiFi infrastructure or where the location of the stations limits cellular connectivity, such as an underground parkade.
The requirements for WiFi connectivity include:
Network Coverage: Chargers should be within the effective range of the WiFi router to maintain a strong connection.
One of the most common issues with WiFi installations that requires additional site work is for stations at the furthest reaches of the coverage area to be unable to reach the network. Pay special attention to the coverage of stations furthest from the wireless access point(s).
Interference Management: WiFi networks can be susceptible to interference from other devices. In some cases, too many devices attempting to connect to to a wireless access point or cellular booster may result in unstable connections for some or all devices.
Especially for large installations with more than 20 devices, it is important to consider that the wireless infrastructure can support simultaneous connections from all of the devices in the coverage area. In some installations, 100 or more devices may connect to each access point.
Driver connectivity: In environments where the chargers are connected to WiFi and no cellular coverage is available, it is recommended to provide a separate WiFi network for drivers in order to enable them to start sessions from the Hypercharge app.
If no driver network is provided, drivers will need to order a Hypercharge RFID card before they can begin using the charging stations.
Ethernet Connectivity for EV Chargers
Ethernet-connected EV chargers use wired connections for network communication. Ethernet is the most reliable connectivity method for EV chargers and is commonly used for small installations located near networking equipment. The cost and complexity of running ethernet cables to many stations can be prohibitive for larger installations, despite the connectivity advantages.
Ethernet connections require only a wired connection to the router or networking switch and an active internet plan with sufficient usage limits to operate successfully.
Verifying the Quality of the Network Connection
To ensure the connectivity quality of EV chargers, follow these methods:
1. Signal Strength Measurement
Cellular: Use a signal strength meter or a mobile app to check the strength of the cellular signal at the charger location. Look for RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) values, aiming for -85 dBm or better for a stable connection.
WiFi: Use a WiFi analyzer app to measure the signal strength. Aim for a signal strength of -80 dBm or better for optimal performance.
2. Speed Tests
Conduct internet speed tests using tools like Ookla Speedtest or similar services to check download and upload speeds. Ensure that the indicated data transfer rate is sufficient for all chargers that will connect to the network to operate simultaneously.
3. Latency Checks
Measure network latency using ping tests. Low latency (below 250 ms) will ensure that real-time data and station controls function properly.
4. Interference Analysis
For installations using cellular boosters or WiFi routers, review the management tools or use a spectrum analyzer to confirm that the EV chargers are not saturating the available network capacity.
Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues
If you have followed the steps above and have not identified the cause of connectivity issues impacting your stations, you should reach out to your networking provider for help in resolving the issue.
If Hypercharge installed your wireless network or your chargers are connected directly via cellular (ie. there is no cellular booster network installed)
Contact Hypercharge Support at [email protected]. We will perform testing of the connectivity at your site and carry out improvements to resolve any coverage issues.
If the chargers are connected via networking equipment not managed by Hypercharge
Your networking provider should be able to provide additional assistance in diagnosing issues with the network they have installed. Share this article with them to provide guidance on identifying potential issues with the network. If your network provider cannot resolve the issue, contact Hypercharge Support.